Category: Student Housing

Feel a little overwhelmed with the rules and regulations set by your housing agency or homestay family? Is there a misunderstanding between you and your homestay family? Are you not sure whether or not you should look for housing or use the housing suggested by UC San Diego? These are all good questions, and our Student Health and Welfare Advisor is here to help.

I loved the atmosphere at UC San Diego Extension International Programs, especially in my Medical English classes. All the students showed great willingness to learn and we asked the teachers numerous questions during class. Most of the questions were very interesting to me and sometimes so controversial that we seriously discussed them. I found these open discussions really precious because I had never experienced them in Japan.

One of my goals for the future is to work as a doctor in the U.S. The Medical English program has helped me come closer to achieving this goal. Through this course, I learned about America’s medical services in-person. For example, many health care providers were guest speakers in the program and we also visited several hospitals in San Diego on field trips.

Although unrelated to my studies, playing soccer with local UC San Diego students was one of the most enjoyable experiences during my time in San Diego. There are several turf fields around the UC San Diego campus and a lot of sports communities. It was a great change of pace to belong to one of them and make some American friends.

Lisa Naylor, Instructor for the Medical English and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Professional Certificate

Lisa Naylor has taught at the UC San Diego Extension English Language Institute for over 20 years and she still feels a surge of pride about her role and gains inspiration from her students.

“I’ve always been fascinated with how people from different cultures communicate with each other, and how our languages are formed,” Lisa said. “Even now, I find that the longer I teach, the more I enjoy it.”

Since Lisa arrived at UC San Diego, she authored two books of idioms, Join the Club: Idioms for Academic and Social Success and Join the Club—Book 2. Lisa’s diverse areas of expertise span from pronunciation improvement and English pedagogy to multimedia curriculum development and medical terminology. Ms. Naylor holds a B.A. in French literature from Cal State Fullerton and a master’s in applied linguistics from San Diego State University.

“Lisa pours her heart and soul into her work,” exclaimed Roxanne Nuhaily, executive director of International Programs at UC San Diego Extension, “when she initiates a project, she works tirelessly and passionately to see it through to completion.”

Around ten years ago, Lisa founded the English Language Institute’s 4-week Medical English program for prospective and current medical practitioners, which she still teaches today. Lisa continuously expands her network in the healthcare field to meet excellent guest speakers and find interesting opportunities for her students.

Kim Gonzalez, the Teaching English as a Foreign Language program coordinator professed, “Lisa loves her students and is aware of what they need. She is very student-centered.”

Wise people say that the best way to do great work is to love the work you do. For Lisa Naylor, this is certainly true. “Teaching English is a great career for me. I’ve always loved different languages, so you could say that teaching English came very naturally to me.”

Proficient in Spanish, French, and Japanese, Lisa first fulfilled her adventurous spirit in her 20s, when she would treat herself to at least one out-of-country adventure a year. Even now, after 20 years teaching at the UC San Diego Extension English Language Institute, her interest in engaging with people from around the world is stronger than ever.

“It’s such a great thing to be in a classroom with people from different countries and everybody’s learning and getting along,” Lisa said. “It gives me hope for the world, it really does. Amazing things happen in our classrooms.”

Want to take a class with Lisa Naylor? Check out the Medical English and TEFL Professional Certificate programs at ip.extension.ucsd.edu or contact us for more information!

With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & International Commerce in hand, and years of work experience in different multinational Freight Forwarding companies in Brazil, Victor Navarro felt it was the right time to realize a lifelong dream: to further his education in the USA.

“The plan was clear and well defined. I was setting out for one year of intense academic immersion, followed by another one year of experiencing the American business environment. At that time, those were the two most critical elements that, in my mind, would contribute to pursue a successful career once I returned to São Paulo, my hometown in Brazil.”

Little did Victor know that his hard work would result in much greater opportunities coming his way during what became a nearly 7-year journey in the USA (and still counting).

“A course at UC San Diego Extension was the perfect way to begin my initial two-year plan,” he said. “The rich curriculum of the Business Management Program, the diverse atmosphere with students and professors from all over the world, combined with the possibility to extend my stay in the USA for a one-year work permit (OPT), made it a very appealing opportunity to start chasing my dream.”

“From the very first quarter of classes, the interactions with other cultures and people from all walks of life, as well as the guidance offered by the experienced UCSD staff, proved to be invaluable and allowed me to gain a broader perspective on life and business in general. Also, the campus is absolutely incredible. It allows for a truly American experience, like most of us internationals grow up watching only in the movies.”

During the second quarter of classes, Navarro completed an internship at one of the biggest banks in the world – UBS Wealth Management, in La Jolla. “That gave me a sense of American business practices, and more importantly, it helped me build confidence to create future job opportunities. It was during my internship at UBS that I felt there could be more to my experience abroad than I originally anticipated.”

Shortly after graduating from the UC San Diego Extension, Victor was offered an entry level position at a start-up company, AP Wireless. During his nearly five years of service at this firm, he used the skills he learned in Business Management classes to help grow the company into the leading cell site lease investment company in the world. “It was the perfect opportunity to use the OPT visa and learn more in depth about American business practices,” he said. “With hard work and diligence, my entry-level position quickly expanded in to a leadership role, and not too long after, into an offer for full sponsorship of a H1B visa.” From there, Victor held different leadership positions at the firm and helped it establish operations in multiple countries, including his native Brazil, Canada, among others.

Together with UC San Diego Extension Business Program coordinators, Navarro helped start and foster a successful partnership with AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners, which resulted in dozens of students from the Business programs being offered an internship and/or job opportunity at that firm, since 2010.

“One of the most gratifying opportunities as a former UC San Diego student was to help create job opportunities for other students from the program, and work alongside them in meaningful projects.”

“All in all, UC San Diego was a vital stepping stone for my career development and overall life in the USA. I would recommend the Business Management programs to anyone seeking a multi-cultural academic environment with highly intelligent peers.”

Nowadays Victor works as a Management Consultant for companies in various industries, and devotes part of his time consulting for other students and international professionals who desire a similar path towards a successful career in the USA.

Last night, we witnessed the democratic election of the new U.S. President. Some people are fearful of this outcome. Please remember that the U.S. has political checks and balances in place to protect our political policies and culture from any ‘radical’ changes. The U.S. follows their constitution, and it cannot be changed. Please remember that you are in California, where the people are open, kind, and welcoming to international students. Thank you, for choosing California and UC San Diego Extension International Programs as your study abroad destination. We value your contribution to the diversity of our student demographic, research, ideas, and education system. For this reason we will continue to welcome you to UC San Diego Extension International Programs in the great state of California.

Are you interested in studying in one of many UC San Diego Extension International Programs’ English language, university credit, and/or professional certificate programs? Would you like to talk to someone, in person, about the differences between programs and how to apply? You are in luck! UC San Diego Representatives, Gwen, Joy, Ivana, Bernardita, and Roxanne are preparing to travel to a city near you. Come visit and talk to us during one of the following student fairs, conferences, or workshops:

Need to improve your writing, speaking, or reading skills? Enroll into one of many English language programs and courses offered at UC San Diego’s very own English Language Institute (ELI). English language courses and programs are offered in the following areas of study:

Conversation and Fluency

Communication and Culture

Intensive Academic English

Intensive Business English

Intensive Legal English

Intensive TOEFL Preparation

University Preparation Academy

and more!

We still have space available in our 10-week English language programs offered in the Fall 2016 quarter, beginning this September 19, 2016. Contact ipinfo@ucsd.edu for details on how to apply.